Industrial truck



Dec. 30, 1952 E. J. DUNHAM 2,623,654

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed July 8, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. ELMER J. DUNHAM AT TY.

Dec. 30, 1952 DUNHAM 2,623,654

INDUSTRIAL. TRUCK Filed July 8, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ELMER J. DUNHAM BY ZQQQ XMM ATTY Dec. 30, 1952 E. J. DUNHAM 2,523,654

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed July 8, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. ELMER J. DUNHAM ATTY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 8, 1948 FIG. 4

INVENTOR. ELMER J. DUNHAM ATTY.

Patented Dec. 30, 1952 INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Elmer J. Dunham, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to Clark Equipment Company,

Buchanan,

Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application July 8, 1948, Serial No. 37,607

Claims.

This invention relates to industrial trucks and more particularly is concerned with an industrial truck of the fork lift type provided with means for rotating the forwardly projecting forks on the truck so that material which may be carried thereon can be dumped. Particularly, the present invention relates to a rotating face plate mounted on the carriage movable in the vertical mast at one end of the truck, which face plate carries forks adapted to engage a tote box or similar container, so that the same may be elevated and then rotated into position to spill out the contents thereof. The invention is particularly applicable to picking up of bulk material in tote boxes or skids, or material such as forgings or the like, which are loose and which can then be dumped into a suitable truck or other container.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a simplified type of dump mechanism for a truck of this type operated hydraulically, which is so arranged as to be enclosed from dust, dirt, and foreign matters and yet is of rugged construction able to withstand severe shock loading and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a construction of this type in which the rotation can be effected through a complete 360 cycle, with means for maintaining the forks against displacement and with control means for returning the mechanism to its original position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide suitable anti-friction means to prevent any straining or binding of the mechanism during its rotative movement and amply suiiicient to sustain the loads which may be carried upon the fork-s of the truck.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art, the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective elevational view of a truck embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view looking into the rear portion of the rotating mechanism.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the rotating plate with the forks removed; and

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the rotating mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, an industrial truck is indicated generally by the referonce numeral 5, having drive wheels 6 and steering wheels I, the steering wheels being controlled through steering wheel 8 mounted adjacent the driver seat 9.

The truck is provided at its forward end, with a vertically extending mast Ill, which is pivotally mounted at its lower end and is provided with tilting" mechanism, indicated generally at l2, preferably comprising hydraulic cylinders which provide for forward and rearward tilting of the mast about its lower pivotal mounting. The mast, itself, is of substantially standard construction and needs no detailed description.

Mounted therein is a load supporting carriage having roller members, indicated generally at [3 in Figure 4, which roller members are guided within the channel portion of an inner telescoping portion I 4, which has vertical movement within the outer channel member 15. The roller I members l3 form part of a carriage l6, terminating in a face plate portion I], which extends transversely across the front of the mast in a vertical position.

Suitable transversely extending bar members l3, l9 and 20 are secured to this plate portion, and in turn, support a secondary plate 22 of increased vertical extent, and which is provided with an aperture 23, disposed substantially in line with the upper plate member l8.

Mounted in the upper plate member 18 is a spindle member or stud 24, which has a reduced portion 25, receiving the double tapered bearing assembly 26, the inner race of this assembly being secured in position on the spindle 24 by means of the lock nut 21, carried at the end of the spindle. The outer race of the bearing assembly 25, is adapted to receive the hub portion 28 of the rotating plate assembly, this hub portion being secured to a substantially annular disc or plate 29 by means of the studs or bolts 30. Thus, it will be seen that the plate 29, together with the hub member 28, is rotatably mounted about the spindle 24 for free rotation.

Secured about the periphery of the plate 29 is an external ring gear member 32, which may be riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the rear face of the plate and piloted therein. The member 32, as shown more in detail in Figure 3, is adapted to have meshing engagement with a pinion 33, driven from the shaft of a worm gear motor 34, which, in turn, is driven through a hydraulic motor mechanism, indicated generally at 35. In this construction, the motor 35 rotates a shaft extending through the housing 3- 5, upon which is mounted a worm gear, this worm gear, in

turn, driving a ring gear member mounted on the shaft 36, extending at right angles to the shaft through the housing 34, and carrying a small pinion 33, positioned for meshing engagement with the ring gear 32. By reason of this construction, rotating force is applied to the ring gear 32 to rotate this ring gear about the axis of the spindle 24.

Mounted on the forward face of the plate 29, and locked in position by means of bayonet type locking slots, is a plate member 31, having headed studs 38, adapted to enter into the locking slots 39, formed in the plate member 2%.

Extending between the two plate members 22 and 29, there is disposed a housing, indicated generally at 453, which housing, in general, extends about the gear 32, but adjacent the hydraulic motor and worm gear drive mechanism 34, is offset to extend over the pinion 33 as shown at 4!! in Figure 3. This housing is for the purpose of keeping dirt and foreign materials from entering into the gear mechanism of the assembly. A secondary housing G2 is mounted in juxtaposition relative the housing it, at the upper portion 40 thereof, and as shown in Figure 4, has at its upper end a rearwardly turned flange portion 43 and a back plate portion it forming an enclosure for the hydraulic motor 35 and th hydraulic connections thereto. The rear plate it of this housing is supported on the rear face of the plate member 22 to thereby form an enclosure over the upper portion of the motor housing at. The motor housing itself, is secured by means of suitable brackets or flange portions 45 to the rear face of the plate member 22.

In order to prevent any possibility of the plate assembly 29-3l binding about the spindle 24, there are disposed at circumferentially spaced points roller members, indicated generally at 43, which roller members are mounted on the forward face of the plate 22 and contain a spindle or stud shaft :27 and a roller it, the roller bearing against the flange portion of the ring gear 32, adjacent the outer edge of the plate member 29. and the rear portion of the roller extends out through an opening at in the plate member 22.

It will be seen that the plate assembled on to the plate mechanism 23 by first being centered over the flange portion 55? of the hub member 28, with the head ends of the 38 extending through the enlarged portions of the slots 39. The plate is then rotated to bring these headed ends into the position adjacent the smaller part of the slots, thereby locking the plate against displacement from plate 2&3. A suitable lock pin 52 is then secured in position to lock the plate against rotation relative to the plate 29.

Mounted on the forward face of the plate 31, is a transverse fork supporting bar member 53, which may be bolted to the plate by means of the studs 54, shown in Figure 3, on opposite sides of the hub support. The plate 53 extends transversely across the width of the plate 3?, and has an upper extending portion over which is hooked the tongue end as of a bracket 5'1, carried on the upper end of the L-shaped forks 58. The bar 53 is also provided adjacent the two sides thereof with depending lip portions 59, which are adapted to receive the tongue portions 50 of brackets 62, carried by the forks intermedi ate the ends of the vertical sections thereof.

There is also secured adjacent the lower portion of the plate 3? a second transverse bar 63, having apertures 64 formed therein at spaced in- Three such rollers are disclosed in Figure 3,

tervals. The forks 58 are slid laterally over the bar 53 and into the desired position. A suitable pin member 65 is then inserted through the bracket 65, carried adjacent the heel of the fork and is located within on of the selected apertures 64. The pin member 65 has an angular extension 61 at the upper end thereof engaging the side of this fork, whereby during the rotative movement of the mechanism, the fork will not slip out of position, being locked at its lower end into the bar member 63. The forwardly projecting portions of the forks, indicated at 58, are adapted to enter into suitable channels or leg on a tote box or the like, which are capable of receiving the forks in such position that the box cannot be removed except by the longitudinal withdrawal of the forks therefrom.

As will be noted in Figures 1 and 3, there are provided two hydraulic conduits or hoses l0, and i2, which extend downwardly adjacent the lift cylinder 13 and behind the plates 22 to a terminal block, indicated at 13 in Figure 3. From this terminal block, hydraulic lines 15 and 16 lead to the head end 7? of the hydraulic motor 35, for selectively forcing fluid under pressure into one or the other side of the motor to drive the plate assembly in one direction or the other. The lines it and i2 extend over a suitable shoe member 18, carried adjacent the upper end of the hydraulic lift assembly, and then extend downwardly along the rear of the vertical mast into a suitable control valve assembly controlled by the control lever it. Thus the operator from his position on the seat 8, can actuate the control lever 79 to rotate the plate 3?, together With the forks 53, in either direction for rotating and dumping any box or load carried upon the forks.

The fluid for actuating the motor 35 is received from a fluid pump operated by the motive power of the vehicle in any suitable manner, which need not be described in detail herein.

It will thus be apparent that I have provided a novel type of rotating mechanism of simple design and fully enclosed as to working parts, which is so supported and arranged as to prevent any binding or cramping action of the mechanism in spite of the off-set load imposed thereon, and which is under the direct control of the operator of the vehicle at all times.

I do not intend to be limited to the specific details of th invention herein shown and described, but only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

use with industrial truck including a anal meet at one end thereof having a carriage vertically movable therein, a vertical plate member adapted to be secured to the carriage transversely thereof, a pivot stud fixed in and projecting forwardly from said vertical plate member, rotatable plate means having a hub portion iournaled on said stud, circumferentially rc-llers rotatably mounted about radial to the forward surface of said vertical plate member, circumferentially spaced openings formed through said vertical plate member, said rollers being adapted to be received within said openings and to bear against said rotatable plate means, means supported on said vertical plate member for rotating said rotatable plate means, and load supporting means mounted to the forward surface of said rotatable plate means.

2. For use with an industrial truck including a vertical mast at one end thereof having a carriage vertically movable therein, a vertical plate member secured to the carriage transversely thereof, a pivot stud fixed in and projecting forwardly from said vertical plate member, a hub member journaled on said stud, said hub member having an annular flange formed at its forward end, a first rotatable plate member secured to said hub member rearwardly of said annular flange thereof, a second rotatable plate member adapted to be secured to said first rotatable plate member and to be piloted on said annular flange of said hub member, means supported on said vertical plate member for rotating said first and second rotatable plate members, and load supporting means secured to the forward surfac of said second rotatable plate member.

3. For use in an industrial truck including a vertical mast at one end thereof having a carriage vertically movable therein, a vertical plate member adapted to be secured to the carriage transversely thereof, a pivot stud fixed in and projecting forwardly from said vertical plate member, a first rotatable plate member having a hub portion journaled on said stud, means supported on said vertical plate member for rotating said first rotatable plate member, a second rotatable plate member, means between said first and second rotatable plate members for detachably mounting the latter to the former, and load supporting means secured to the forward surface of said second rotatable plate member.

4. The industrial truck of claim 3 wherein said means between said first and second rotatable plate members comprises a plurality of bayonet slots formed in one of said rotatable plate members, and stud members secured to the other 6 of said rotatable plate members and adapted to be received within said bayonet slots.

5. For use in an industrial truck including a vertical mast at one end thereof having a carriage vertically movable therein, a vertical plate member adapted to be secured to the carriage transversely thereof, a pivot stud fixed in and projecting forwardly from said vertical plate member, a first rotatable plate member having a hub portion journaled on said stud, means supported on said vertical plate member for rotating said first rotatable plate member, a second rotatable plate member, means between said first and second rotatable plate members for detachably mounting the latter to the former, transversely extending frame members secured to the forward surface of said second rotatable plate member, a pair of L-shaped load engaging forks, and means for detachably securing said load engaging forks to said transverse frame members.

ELMER J. DUNHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in. the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,878,994 Abbe Sept. 27, 1932 2,281,004 Lehmann et a1. Apr. 28, 1942 2,287,469 Cochran June 23, 1942 2,335,572 Schroeder Nov. 30, 1943 2,368,122 Dunham Jan. 30, 1945 2,457,366 Guerin Dec. 28, 1948 2,473,659 Musgrave June 21, 1949 2,522,128 Lehmann Sept. 12, 1950 

